Before anyone chimes in about the books, I have not read them and have no intentions of reading them so IDNGAF about the books. I have only seen the TV show and am commenting on what I am watching.

Not trying to pick a fight or anything, but the stuff that's missing is consistent with the books. Robb and Jamie have had more presence in the show than they do in the books up to this point. I know that you're trying to only comment within the context of the screen version, but it has to follow the storyline of the books. They're not mutually exclusive.

I really hope the third season sticks closely to the book. I am REALLY excited for this one!

Never say anything bad about GRRM or he'll kill off another Stark

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."
- Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor) "Face of Evil"

I know we're not supposed to talk about the books too much, but seriously. Is anyone else constantly frustrated by the small, seemingly pointless changes they make to details in show?

For example: Renly being stabbed through the heart instead of getting his throat cut, Quaithe wearing some sort of luchador mask instead of the black lacquered wooden mask, Jon asking to join Qhorin on his mission instead of the other way around...

I could go on and on.

I know a lot of it is trivial and doesn't change the story (they've also done enough things that DO change the story, especially in tonights episode), but it still just irks me that they just arbitrarily changed things that were repeatedly described in detail in the books.

Also I felt the city crowd riot scene was kind of meh. Looked verrrry staged, not natural. I felt like I was really watching a TV show. The Hound saving Sansa was well done tho - their "relationship" is just as written.

/rant

ALSO THE JOJEN AND MEERA! WRITTEN OUT! confused how this will work going forward.

Some of the changes really have me scratching my head. I'm trying to 'turn it off' in my mind and just enjoy the show. It's proving difficult, especially with the last episode, but I feel I need to do it.

The bits between Tywin and Arya are interesting, and make Tywin somewhat more endearing. Arya carefully avoiding Littlefinger was tense, even though I knew they'd have to change too much if he found her out. I half expected the note that Arya stole to be a message left from Littlefinger to her though.

I know we're not supposed to talk about the books too much, but seriously. Is anyone else constantly frustrated by the small, seemingly pointless changes they make to details in show?

For example: Renly being stabbed through the heart instead of getting his throat cut, Quaithe wearing some sort of luchador mask instead of the black lacquered wooden mask, Jon asking to join Qhorin on his mission instead of the other way around...

I could go on and on.

I know a lot of it is trivial and doesn't change the story (they've also done enough things that DO change the story, especially in tonights episode), but it still just irks me that they just arbitrarily changed things that were repeatedly described in detail in the books.

Also I felt the city crowd riot scene was kind of meh. Looked verrrry staged, not natural. I felt like I was really watching a TV show. The Hound saving Sansa was well done tho - their "relationship" is just as written.

/rant

ALSO THE JOJEN AND MEERA! WRITTEN OUT! confused how this will work going forward.

Sorry, but no. The books are too important to not discuss within the context of the show. This isn't just a matter of Tom Bombadil being written out without continuity being broken. The writers seem to be making changes that will veer the story line off-course. Without Jojen and Meera, Bran and Hodor will have to stay with Osha.

/rant - I'm still enjoying it, but my wife and I are getting tired of saying, "WTF, now what are they doing?".

Sorry, but no. The books are too important to not discuss within the context of the show. This isn't just a matter of Tom Bombadil being written out without continuity being broken. The writers seem to be making changes that will veer the story line off-course. Without Jojen and Meera, Bran and Hodor will have to stay with Osha.

/rant - I'm still enjoying it, but my wife and I are getting tired of saying, "WTF, now what are they doing?".

Jon asking to join Qhorin on his mission instead of the other way around...

Not bad, better than some of the other changes IMO when discussing "minor" issues. Like issues of a certain love interest.

Also I felt the city crowd riot scene was kind of meh. Looked verrrry staged, not natural. I felt like I was really watching a TV show. The Hound saving Sansa was well done tho - their "relationship" is just as written.

I was very let down by that scene as well. I don't think Sansa was even close to being raped by the men during the riot, she was in a crowd and he galloped on his steed among them and cut them down before they dragged her away (I thought).

I'm still shocked they made Daenerys have her people slaughtered and her dragons stolen. Sorely disappointing, but once that happened it was sort of a release for me, to let go of expectations and just embrace the changes and see where they'll take us. The books will have their place, hopefully the show will continue to do so as well. I'm really looking forward to the warlocks and the ultimate story line across the narrow sea, but now I'm wondering how that'll come to be.

Sorry, but no. The books are too important to not discuss within the context of the show. This isn't just a matter of Tom Bombadil being written out without continuity being broken. The writers seem to be making changes that will veer the story line off-course. Without Jojen and Meera, Bran and Hodor will have to stay with Osha.

/rant - I'm still enjoying it, but my wife and I are getting tired of saying, "WTF, now what are they doing?".

Originally Posted by Seabird

The first season set the standard. It was notable because it was so faithful. It just seems odd to me that this season has changed so much.

I'm the exact same way! They are adding drama when it doesnt need to be added. Arya being chased and Jaqin killing the guy at the last moment. Jon chasing Yigritte, The dragons being stolen.

I understand they have to cut a lot to make it into 10 episodes, but they are adding un-needed stuff when they could flesh out more of the actual story.

Yeah, some of the artistic license they are taking seems a little odd. I know it's hard to introduce more children that are important to the story, but I was dying to see the Reeds in real life. Minor stuff like the location of Renly's wound don't matter, but stuff like Ygritte and the dragons being kidnapped are kinda lame.

Sorry, but no. The books are too important to not discuss within the context of the show. This isn't just a matter of Tom Bombadil being written out without continuity being broken. The writers seem to be making changes that will veer the story line off-course. Without Jojen and Meera, Bran and Hodor will have to stay with Osha.

/rant - I'm still enjoying it, but my wife and I are getting tired of saying, "WTF, now what are they doing?".

I assume you weren't one of the many posters ripping beng (?) and I for voicing the same frustrations in the True Blood threads? We were basically told to "shove it" with the book discussion.

Originally Posted by GSTGuy

I'm still shocked they made Daenerys have her people slaughtered and her dragons stolen. Sorely disappointing, but once that happened it was sort of a release for me, to let go of expectations and just embrace the changes and see where they'll take us. The books will have their place, hopefully the show will continue to do so as well.

Basically what I had to do with True Blood. I've read all the Sookies Stackhouse books and that show goes completely off-book pretty quickly, and not in a positive way.

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food."

I'm the exact same way! They are adding drama when it doesnt need to be added. Arya being chased and Jaqin killing the guy at the last moment. Jon chasing Yigritte, The dragons being stolen.

I understand they have to cut a lot to make it into 10 episodes, but they are adding un-needed stuff when they could flesh out more of the actual story.

Agreed.

As for the Sansa near-rape stuff, that was presumably to carry a bit of what happened to the Lollys character in the book into the storyline to emphasize the severity of the riot, without having to introduce who the hell Lollys was. Heck, they only introduced the High Septon enough so you'd understand who was being ripped apart

I think you guys are nit picking too much. At least let the season conclude before you try to break down minor changes in the latest episode to air. I'm sure the Reeds will meet with Bran shortly, otherwise that story line is a complete derailment. The other changes are far too minor to bitch about IMO.

I think you guys are nit picking too much. At least let the season conclude before you try to break down minor changes in the latest episode to air. I'm sure the Reeds will meet with Bran shortly, otherwise that story line is a complete derailment. The other changes are far too minor to bitch about IMO.

'm still shocked they made Daenerys have her people slaughtered and her dragons stolen. Sorely disappointing, but once that happened it was sort of a release for me, to let go of expectations and just embrace the changes and see where they'll take us. The books will have their place, hopefully the show will continue to do so as well. I'm really looking forward to the warlocks and the ultimate story line across the narrow sea, but now I'm wondering how that'll come to be.

Totally agree with you here. At that point I realized they must have made some sort of serious decision to not cling so tightly to the books, disappointing as that may be...

The Sansa near-rape scene I agree was meant to incorporate the character Lollys without adding in an otherwise completely useless character. It also helped flesh out the odd relationship the Hound has with Sansa, where he is a protector of sorts for her.

Originally Posted by mbuxton

I'm sure the Reeds will meet with Bran shortly, otherwise that story line is a complete derailment.

I hope this is right, that they meet up with him next episode, because that majorly changes the book. Does Hodor have green eyes that we didn't notice? haha...

Jon's story seems to be uh.. condensing a bit now too. Hopefully they don't cut out some really important passages from that.

I thought I had missed a point in the audio book and went back and listened and realized there they were never stolen.

Someone mentioned the part about Robb's romance w/ the woman being pointless... I think the purpose is to develop his character more. You don't get much from Robb in this part of the book, it's just brief mentions through his mother or other family members.

Overall I think it's been pretty good this season and it's actually very enjoyable listening to the audio book and show at the same time.